[1] Actually I do, cut all russian gas and oil imports right now, no matter how painful, and apply sanctions to anyone who continues trading russian gas and oil, no matter if friend or foe, big or small. Soften the financial blow to the lower and middle class with some progressive tax, offer large incentives to build wind, solar, EV chargers, heat pumps, better thermal insulation of homes, etc. I'm oversimplifying, and sharper minds would be needed to improve the basic idea and close exploitable loopholes, but it would be doable if we really, really wanted. The killing of innocent Ukrainians must be stopped.
Were were you when the killing of innocent Russians was taking place in 2014? https://www.dw.com/en/ukraine-the-forgotten-victims-of-donba...
What would you think if a region in Europe belonging to a larger country clamored for independence but was crushed by the military and by sanctioned militias which are antisemitic and right wing radicals? https://civic-nation.org/ukraine/society/radical_right-wing_...
How much do you really know about May 2nd 2014? https://www.dw.com/en/the-odessa-file-what-happened-on-may-2...
About the ties between radical anti-democratic para-military groups, the US and Ukraine? https://moderndiplomacy.eu/2018/06/04/how-and-why-the-u-s-go...
I don't know much, but would be surprised if it's as simple as: Russia = BAD, Ukraine = GOOD.
note that I'm not saying Russia is innocent or justified. Their war is unjustified and an atrocity. But Ukraine is not a beacon of democracy, respect and peace either. They are a country whose government has supported radical and violent tactics against some of its own ethnic groups.
Neither Russian nor Ukrainian civilians deserve any of this. In my opinion, protests, and sanctions should be very targeted (at leaders, companies and groups participating in these violent attacks: Now Russians ones, a few years ago Ukrainian ones).
You are very critical of right extremists that represent 2% of the population.
Note : I hate extremists left and right. But 2-3% doesn't seem out of the ordinary.
It seems that you are overrepresenting a minor group ( extremists ), that should easily be crushed by the majority you are presenting.
As far as I'm aware, in 2014 people in some eastern regions were 54% in favor of Russia ( not a clear majority either) and because of the gray zone invasion in 2014 that declined to 14% later on.
Considering that 17,3% in entire Ukraine identify as ethic Russians and not Ukrainians, I'm actually suprised by the weak support later on.
Eg. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-60362274
Here a follow-up how life worsened under Russia's annexation of Crimea and that people were changing perspectives after years, they have regrets - https://youtu.be/lzO7gIT5GYU
These people were Ukranian citizens, Putin funded the separatists and tried to start a civil war. Since that didn't succeed plan B was to invade the country as we are seeing now
If you look at present day Germany redemption is certainly possible even if it takes 50 years or so.
Most people here realize we are talking about "Putin's Russians" and not ordinary Russians.
But ordinary Russians are aiding Putin too and I know some try to protest under harsh conditions ( jail) or are fleeing Russia.
Eg. I don't consider Russian people living abroad the same as the one that are aiding Putin. And most definitely not the elite that are doing it with knowledge of the complete situation.
But one of the problems is that there's not really a word to describe that 'group' or any of those above mentioned groups.
PS. To share a POV, I asked a Russian friend how she is doing and if she had troubles in 'her social environment' here in Belgium. She said there wasn't an issue. I don't know if I can generalize that though.
